Planar Plate Core Assembly for Counter-Current Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional designs for planar plate-type cores in heat recovery ventilator (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems face challenges in achieving high efficiency for heat and water vapor transfer between air streams.
Innovation Solution
The use of a core configuration with stacked and spaced planar plate pairs, featuring dimples that generate substantially counter current flow between fluid streams, and a method of joining plates by folding seams and applying adhesive to create multiple channels for efficient fluid flow and condensation drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional planar plate-type core designs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but heat exchange efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dimples (curved surface features) on the planar plates to disrupt laminar flow and promote turbulent mixing between fluid streams. This curvature modification enhances heat transfer coefficients while maintaining the overall simplicity of the plate-type core structure, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency without significantly complicating manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimples are strategically positioned at specific locations on the plates where flow separation and recirculation zones naturally occur. This localized modification concentrates turbulence generation at critical regions, maximizing heat transfer enhancement where it is most needed while minimizing overall structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty.
2Adaptability or versatility
If stacked planar plate pairs are used to support fluid flow, then the structure is scalable, but achieving high efficiency heat and water vapor transfer is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The dimples create localized turbulence and enhance mixing between the two fluid streams passing through the stacked plate pairs. This curvature-induced flow disruption increases the effective heat and mass transfer area, enabling high efficiency transfer while maintaining the scalable stacked plate configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimples promote continuous turbulent mixing along the flow path through the plate pairs, ensuring sustained high efficiency heat and water vapor transfer throughout the entire exchange process rather than relying on intermittent or localized transfer zones.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional plate configurations are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but counter current flow generation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The dimples are designed to naturally induce counter-current flow patterns through their curved geometry. As fluid passes over the dimpled surfaces, the curvature creates pressure differentials and flow separation that drive opposing fluid streams to flow in counter-current directions, enhancing transfer efficiency without complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimple geometry (depth, diameter, spacing) is optimized to transform the flow parameters of the passing fluids, converting simple parallel flow into effective counter-current flow patterns. This parameter modification achieves productive counter-current exchange while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances heat exchange efficiency and allows for effective condensation drainage, improving the overall performance of HRV/ERV systems by promoting counter current flow and reducing pressure drop.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of dimples being arranged to generate substantially counter current flow between the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
heat exchanger heats or cools incoming fresh air using exhaust air
Implementation Method 3
heat and water vapour are transferred via the plates
Implementation Method 4
injecting an adhesive at each seam to attach and space the plates
Implementation Method 5
folding seams of two of the plurality of planar plates to form a lock seam to hold the plates together
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a core configured for use in an energy exchanger. The core includes a plurality of stacked and spaced planar plate pairs including a top plate and a bottom plate to support fluid flow of a first fluid flow and a second fluid flow. A plurality of dimples is provided by instances of the plate pairs. The plurality of dimples are arranged to generate substantially counter current flow between the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow.